Niagara County releases road repairs list

Submitted

Wed, Jun 15th 2016 12:05 pm

New highways head launches aggressive maintenance schedule

Christian W. Peck

Public Information Officer

Niagara County Public Information Office

Niagara County's newly appointed highways
czar spent several hours late last week briefing county leaders about the
county's $1.6-million 2016 road repair plan before releasing the document to
the public.

The plan, termed "comprehensive"
by Deputy Commissioner of Public Works for Highways Dean Lapp, includes more
than 31 miles of resurfacing on 15 county roads, and more than 40 miles of
crack repairs on 14 highways, as well as shoulder repair work set for eight
county roads.

Lapp, who started in the highways
post two weeks ago, met for two hours with County Manager Rick Updegrove and
County Legislature Infrastructure & Facilities Committee Chairman John
Syracuse, R-Newfane, briefing them on road repairs and paving plans. The trio
then undertook a tour of several project sites, observing the road repair
effort in action.

"We have great confidence in
Dean's plan, and know he's undertaking some changes to workflow to get better
results for our taxpayers," Syracuse said during a worksite visit on Feigle
Road in Pendleton. "Public Works looked at which county roads are most in need
of repairs and improvements, and this plan really prioritizes some roads that
needed attention."

Updegrove noted he and Lapp had
already spoken at length about focusing on roads that had been the source of
complaints from residents and motorists, and ensuring the Highway Department
was responsive to taxpayer concerns.

"Mr. Lapp's vision is in line with
the legislature's, and we can expect our roads to be repaired on an aggressive
timetable," Updegrove said. "I also will note that the Highway Department is
committed to results and timely responses to concerns voiced by county
residents."

Following the meeting, Lapp urged
residents with concerns about drainage issues to contact the Highway Department
at 716-439-7360.

"If residents are encountering
drainage issues right now, we want to know about it so we can remedy it," Lapp
said.